Sarmento to update supervisors on Newton’s Main Street project

Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darrell Sarmento will be seeking the Jasper County Board of Supervisors permission to use the courthouse lawn for fall events during Tuesday’s meeting.

Some of the proposed events on the Chambers calendar include the Downtown Newton Trick or Treat on Oct. 31, Downtown Newton Christmas Open House on Nov. 9 and 10, and the Chamber’s Lighted Christmas Parade on Nov. 29.

The board is more than likely to approve Sarmento’s requests. Sarmento will also be updating the board on Newton’s progress garnering a Main Street designation. In a previous interview with the Daily News, Sarmento commented on the matter.

“I think there is an enthusiastic pool of Newton citizens who would like to see downtown get a facelift and make it something to be proud of,” Sarmento said. “If we really want to say, ‘Come see our downtown,’ we’ve got to step it up.”

Jasper County Human Resources Director Dennis Simon will present the board his proposal for the 2014 holiday schedule for county employees. If approved, county employees would have 10 days off next year.

Another group is also seeking the board’s permission to use the courthouse lawn for an event. Multiple Jasper County 4-H Clubs want to host a “Festival of Trees” from Nov. 25 until Dec. 26. Last year’s “Festival of Trees,” was themed “The Giving Tree.” As a part of that theme, several clubs decorated their trees in support of local organizations or charities they adopted.

Staff writer Ty Rushing may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 426, or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.